Posts archive: Desikachar 1983 France

“In the indian tradition we have the idea of Varṇa–Āśrama–Dharma
and Dharma–Artha–Kāma–Mokṣa.
According to a persons environment, development
or stage of activity in life, the choice must vary.
Which will help a person grow at the body and mental level?
So as such it should be SṛṣṭiKrama for a certain level of people.
In old times. up to the age of 24 years should be in the direction of SṛṣṭiKrama.
In other words more risk taken with the body, more ability to grasp ideas.
i.e. Vinyāsa almost like gymnastics.
Not suitable for older person starting Yoga.
We need to be open to this beautiful idea of adaptation.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

“Śikṣaṇa has different Krama which can be looked into.
For example SṛṣṭiKrama to grow, create, develop – physically or mentally.
In some situations SṛṣṭiKrama is more important.
For example in Āsana, ideas of relaxation not valid.
So more work, more strength, more activity.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Saṃyama can be on the physical, as in Hasta on the strength of an elephant.
Or Saṃyama on Saṃskāra,
an investigation of mental tendencies leading to an understanding of past traits.
Or on Grahaṇa,
going into the idea of how the senses hold objects,
what is the basis inside for sense perceptions.
This leads to IndriyaJaya.Patañjali is giving indications that these practices are possible.ĪśvaraPraṇidhāna is quoted more than once, through investigation of this idea he tells us that it is this that makes a person aware of their true self
– Tataḥ Pratyak Cetanā Adhigamaḥ (YS Chapter One verse 29).Sādhana can be physical, senses, mental, spiritual.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Let us examine the Yoga Sūtra……
In the 3rd chapter there is the idea of Saṃyama (C3 v4) or the Sādhana of regularly involving the attention of the person towards a specific object or idea.
There are certain Sūtra which tell us of certain powers or clarity developed through Saṃyama.
When a person has reached a certain level of attention he can pursue one examination within his individual capability for a certain period of time.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“In Mīmāṃsā (a philosophical system to interpret the Veda, especially the Brāhmaṇa and Mantra, with the object of correctly performing the Veda rituals) there is a word called Prayoga (connection).
The same Mantra has to be recited differently for different rituals.
Or different Mantra in the same ritual.
So even here different applications are needed, the ancients recognised this.
There is a verse which says that if the Mantra is not used correctly it has the opposite effect and destroys or boomerangs.
Instead of doing good it will harm.
This is MithyāPrayoga (wrong connection) with an opposite effect.
Having spoken of viniyoga (appropriate application), now looking at important points the old teachers used to convey these ideas.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Also he (Patañjali) doesn’t standardise the steps.
Depending on the individual the practice varies.
Nothing is gross or subtle.
For example Āsana is gross to one person and subtle to another.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“That’s how the idea of Darśana came into being.
We needed a mirror to see exactly how we are.
The important characteristic is that it should reflect faithfully what is in me.
This is what is called an Ācārya or teacher.
A good mirror should be clear.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

“Movement from one high state of distraction to a lesser state of distraction is also a Siddhi.
First state I am disturbed and don’t know anything.
Second state still disturbed but know why I am disturbed.
However I want to go further to a state where no disturbances.”
– TKV Desikachar France August 1983

“Let us go into Siddhi, here the important word is Samādhi.
Unless we are born like that, then it’s a Siddhi, Samādhi is a Siddhi.
When we are in a state of absorption in something we are in Samādhi.
After which we appreciate the object in question and understand it more clearly.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983